U.S. patent number 7,232,215 [Application Number 11/122,252] was granted by the patent office on 2007-06-19 for reinforced nose bridge and eyeglasses utilizing same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Smith Sport Optics, Inc.. Invention is credited to George T. Giroux, Joseph R. McNeal.
United States Patent |
7,232,215 |
McNeal , et al. |
June 19, 2007 |
Reinforced nose bridge and eyeglasses utilizing same
Abstract
The invention is directed to a reinforced nose bridge structure,
eyeglasses employing the reinforced nose bridge structure, and
methods of making reinforced nose bridge structures and eyeglasses.
A reinforced nose bridge structure includes an elongated body and a
wire extending along the body for most of its length. The ends of
the wire project from the body to form a pair of spaced-apart nose
pad supports. Respective nose pads are mounted at the ends of the
wire forming the nose pad supports. The nose bridge may be attached
directly to eyeglass lenses or to complete or partial frames for
the lenses.
Inventors: |
McNeal; Joseph R. (Hailey,
ID), Giroux; George T. (Ketchum, ID) |
Assignee: |
Smith Sport Optics, Inc.
(Ketchum, ID)
|
Family
ID: |
37308278 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/122,252 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060250572 A1 |
Nov 9, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/129; 351/110;
351/124; 351/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C
1/023 (20130101); G02C 5/02 (20130101); G02C
5/04 (20130101); G02C 5/126 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02C
5/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;351/124-139,67-82,103-110,178 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Four photographs (four sheets) showing nose bridge of prior art
eyeglasses, taken prior to May 2005. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Mai; Huy
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A reinforced nose bridge structure, comprising: an elongated
body extending generally in a longitudinal direction; and a support
structure having the elongated body molded around portions thereof,
the support structure comprising: a reinforcement portion extending
generally in the longitudinal direction, at least part of the
reinforcement portion positioned within the elongated body; and a
pair of nose pad support portions spaced apart from each other
along the length of the reinforcement portion, the pair of nose pad
support portions being attached to the reinforcement portion and
projecting away from the reinforcement portion and the elongated
body.
2. The reinforced nose bridge structure of claim 1 wherein the
reinforcement portion is enclosed by the elongated body and
portions of each of the pair of nose pad support portions project
through the elongated body.
3. The reinforced nose bridge structure of claim 1 wherein the
reinforcement portion and the pair of nose pad support portions are
integrally formed as a unitary structure.
4. The reinforced nose bridge structure of claim 3 wherein the nose
pad support portions and the reinforcement portion comprises a
unitary bent wire.
5. The reinforced nose bridge structure of claim 1 wherein the
reinforcement portion comprises a pair of mounting holes, each of
the mounting holes located at an end region of the reinforcement
portion and extends transversely through the reinforcement portion,
each of the pair of mounting holes being aligned with corresponding
mounting holes in the elongated body.
6. The reinforced nose bridge structure of claim 1, further
comprising a pair of lens backing portions integrally formed with
the elongated body, each of the lens backing portions extending
away from the elongated body in opposing directions to an
attachment portion.
7. The reinforced nose bridge structure of claim 1 wherein each of
the pair of nose pad support portions are formed from a material
that can be bent to alter the configuration thereof.
8. Eyeglasses, comprising: a pair of lenses; and a frame supporting
the pair of lenses, the frame including a reinforced nose bridge
structure, the reinforced nose bridge structure comprising: an
elongated body extending generally in a longitudinal direction; and
a support structure comprising: a reinforcement portion extending
generally in the longitudinal direction, at least part of the
reinforcement portion positioned within the elongated body; and a
pair of nose pad support portions spaced apart from each other
along the length of the reinforcement portion, the pair of nose pad
support portions being attached to the reinforcement portion and
projecting away from the reinforcement portion and the elongated
body, wherein the reinforcement portion comprises a pair of
mounting holes, each of the mounting holes located at an end region
of the reinforcement portion and extend generally transversely
through the reinforcement portion, each of the pair of mounting
holes being aligned with corresponding mounting holes in the
elongated body and each of the lenses; and a fastener inserted
through each of the pair of mounting holes of the reinforcement
portion, the corresponding mounting holes in the elongated body,
and the corresponding mounting holes of each of the lenses to
secure the pair of lenses to the frame.
9. The eyeglasses of claim 8 wherein the elongated body is molded
around portions of the support structure.
10. The eyeglasses of claim 8 wherein the reinforcement portion is
enclosed by the elongated body and portions of each of the pair of
nose pad support portions project through the elongated body.
11. The eyeglasses of claim 8 wherein the reinforcement portion and
the pair of nose pad support portions are integrally formed as a
unitary structure.
12. The eyeglasses of claim 11 wherein the nose pad support
portions and the reinforcement portion comprise a unitary bent
wire.
13. The eyeglasses of claim 8 wherein the frame comprises a pair of
lens backing portions extending away from the elongated body in
opposing directions to an attachment portion.
14. The eyeglasses of claim 13, further comprising a pair of
temples attached to respective attachment portions of the
frame.
15. The eyeglasses of claim 13 wherein the pair of lens backing
portions are integrally formed with the elongated body of the
reinforced nose bridge structure.
16. The eyeglasses of claim 8 wherein the reinforced nose bridge
structure is connected directly to the pair of lenses.
17. The eyeglasses of claim 8 wherein the frame comprises a pair of
frame sections extending from the reinforced bridge structure, each
of the frame sections extending about one of the lenses.
18. The eyeglasses of claim 8 wherein each of the pair of nose pad
support portions are formed from a material that can be bent to
alter the configuration thereof.
19. A method of forming a reinforced nose bridge, the method
comprising: inserting a support structure into a mold, the support
structure comprising a reinforcement portion and a pair of nose pad
support portions attached to the reinforcement portion at spaced
apart locations along the length of the reinforcement portion, the
nose pad support portions extending outwardly from the
reinforcement portion; and forming a body around a portion of the
support structure by injection molding so that the reinforcement
portion extends generally in a longitudinal direction of the body
and the pair of nose pad support portions project outwardly from
the body.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: forming a pair of
holes in the reinforcement portion at opposite ends thereof; and
inserting alignment pins to hold the support structure in the mold
in a desired position.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising holding at least one
of the pair of nose pad support portions to hold the support
structure in the mold in a desired position.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the body comprises a polymeric
material.
23. Eyeglasses, comprising: a pair of lenses; and a frame
supporting the pair of lenses, the frame including a reinforced
nose bridge structure, the reinforced nose bridge structure
comprising: an elongated body extending generally in a longitudinal
direction; and a support structure having the elongated body molded
around portions thereof, the support structure comprising: a
reinforcement portion extending generally in the longitudinal
direction, at least part of the reinforcement portion positioned
within the elongated body; and a pair of nose pad support portions
spaced apart from each other along the length of the reinforcement
portion, the pair of nose pad support portions being attached to
the reinforcement portion and projecting away from the
reinforcement portion and the elongated body.
24. The eyeglasses of claim 23 wherein the reinforcement portion is
enclosed by the elongated body and portions of each of the pair of
nose pad support portions project through the elongated body.
25. The eyeglasses of claim 23 wherein the reinforcement portion
and the pair of nose pad support portions are integrally formed as
a unitary structure.
26. The eyeglasses of claim 25 wherein the nose pad support
portions and the reinforcement portion comprise a unitary bent
wire.
27. The eyeglasses of claim 23: wherein the reinforcement portion
comprises a pair of mounting holes, each of the mounting holes
located at an end region of the reinforcement portion and extend
generally transversely through the reinforcement portion, each of
the pair of mounting holes being aligned with corresponding
mounting holes in the elongated body and each of the lenses; and
further comprising a fastener inserted through each of the pair of
mounting holes and the corresponding mounting holes in the
elongated body and each of the lenses to secure the pair of lenses
to the frame.
28. The eyeglasses of claim 23 wherein the frame comprises a pair
of lens backing portions extending away from the elongated body in
opposing directions to an attachment portion.
29. The eyeglasses of claim 28, further comprising a pair of
temples attached to respective attachment portions of the
frame.
30. The eyeglasses of claim 28 wherein the pair of lens backing
portions are integrally formed with the elongated body of the
reinforced nose bridge structure.
31. The eyeglasses of claim 23 wherein the reinforced nose bridge
structure is connected directly to the pair of lenses.
32. The eyeglasses of claim 23 wherein the frame comprises a pair
of frame sections extending from the reinforced bridge structure,
each of the frame sections extending about one of the lenses.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to eyeglasses having a reinforced nose
bridge. More particularly, this invention relates to eyeglasses
with a reinforced nose bridge having a support structure that
reinforces the nose bridge and provides nose pad supports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are presently a wide variety of styles for eyeglasses
available for a wearer to choose from. Some of the eyeglasses
employ a frame that includes lens holders for supporting a pair of
lenses joined together with a nose bridge. Other types of designs
for eyeglasses use a rimless frame, and join the pair of lenses
together with a nose bridge. Regardless of the particular type of
frame, the nose bridge spans the space between the lenses, and,
when the eyeglasses are positioned on the wearer's head, nose pads
attached to the nose bridge or frame contact the sides of the
wearer's nose to help support the eyeglasses in a desired position
on the wearer's face.
One conventional design for a pair of eyeglasses is shown in FIG.
1. Eyeglasses 100 includes a pair of lenses 102 that are
interconnected with a nose bridge 104. The nose bridge 104 has a
pair of nose pad supports 105 that are molded inside of the nose
bridge 104. Each of the nose pad supports 105 extends inside of the
nose bridge 104 along only a small portion of its length, and
projects downwardly so that respective nose pads 106 mounted to
each of the nose pad supports 105 will bear against the sides of a
wearer's nose when the eyeglasses 100 are worn by the wearer. The
eyeglasses 100 further includes a pair of temples 108 that are
pivotally attached to the lateral sides of each of the lenses 102
using respective hinges 110. The temples 108 extend rearwardly away
from each of the lenses 102 and are configured to fit along the
sides of a wearer's head so that the eyeglasses 100 are retained on
the wearer's head.
One problem associated with the eyeglasses 100 is that the nose
bridge 104 may not be sufficiently sturdy, or, if it is
sufficiently sturdy, the nose bridge 104 must be undesirably thick
to impart the requisite strength. Another problem associated with
the eyeglasses 100 is the strength of the attachment between the
nose pad supports 105 and the nose bridge 104 may not be sufficient
to prevent the nose pad supports 105 from separating from the nose
bridge 104. This problem may be exacerbated by making the nose
bridge 104 relatively thin, which is often desired for styling
reasons.
FIG. 2 shows another conventional design for a pair of eyeglasses.
Eyeglasses 110 includes a pair of lenses 112 that are mounted to a
frame 113. The frame 113 includes lens backing portions 114 that
extend along the length of the upper portion of each of the lenses
112. The frame 113 further includes a nose bridge 116 that is
integrally formed with each of the lens backing portions 114. The
nose bridge 116 includes a pair of nose pads 118 that are mounted
on a portion of the nose bridge 116. A pair of temples 120 are
hingedly attached to the frame 113, and extend rearwardly away from
each of the lenses 112.
One problem with the eyeglasses 110 is that the nose pads 118 are
not adjustable to accommodate a variety of nose sizes. Therefore,
the eyeglasses 110 use a nose bridge 116 that is designed to fit a
specific nose size or a range of nose sizes, and will not properly
fit certain nose sizes. Furthermore, the frame 113 including the
nose bridge portion 116 may need to be undesirably bulky in order
to provide sufficient structural support.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a nose bridge for
a pair of eyeglasses that is not undesirably bulky, while still
providing a sufficient amount of strength. Furthermore, it would be
desirable that the pair of eyeglasses include adjustable nose pads
so that the eyeglasses can be adjusted to fit a range of nose
sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a reinforced nose bridge structure,
eyeglasses employing the reinforced nose bridge structure, and
methods of making reinforced nose bridge structures and eyeglasses.
In one aspect of the invention, a reinforced nose bridge structure
includes an elongated body extending generally in a longitudinal
direction and a support structure. The support structure includes a
reinforcement portion extending generally in the longitudinal
direction and at least part of the reinforcement portion being
positioned within the elongated body. The support structure further
includes a pair of nose pad support portions attached to the
reinforcement portion and spaced apart from each other along the
length of the reinforcement portion. The pair of nose pad support
portions project away from the reinforcement portion and the
elongated body. Eyeglasses employing the reinforced nose bridge
structures include eyeglasses that use rimless frames or eyeglasses
that have a frame such as, for example, a lens backing portion that
may be integrally formed with the reinforced nose bridge
structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a conventional pair of
eyeglasses having a rimless frame with the pair of lenses being
interconnected using a nose bridge.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of another conventional pair of
eyeglasses having a rimless frame with lens backing portions
integrally formed with the nose bridge.
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a pair of eyeglasses having a
reinforced nose bridge structure according to one embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the pair of eyeglasses shown
in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the eyeglasses of FIGS. 3
and 4.
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the frame of the eyeglass shown in
FIGS. 3 through 5
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the support structure of the
reinforced nose bridge structure shown in FIGS. 3 through 6
according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a rimless pair of eyeglasses having
a reinforced nose bridge structure according to an alternative
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
The invention is directed to a reinforced nose bridge structure,
eyeglasses employing the reinforced nose bridge structure, and
methods of making reinforced nose bridge structures and eyeglasses.
Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 3 through 8 in
order to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One
skilled in the art, however, will understand that the invention may
have additional embodiments, or that the invention may be practiced
without several of the details described in the following
description.
FIGS. 3 through 5 show schematic views of a pair of eyeglasses 122
according to an embodiment of the invention. The eyeglasses 122
include a frame 124 having a reinforced nose bridge 128 and a pair
of lens backing portions 126 and 127, both of which extend from the
reinforced nose bridge 128 to an attachment portion 134. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lens backing portions 126,
127, the bridge 128, and the attachment portions 134 are formed
integrally as a unitary structure. In alternative embodiments, the
lens backing portions 126 and 127, and/or the attachment portions
134 may be separate components or the frame 124 may include
sections that extend from the reinforced nose bridge 128 to
surround the periphery of each of the lenses 132 to form rims. The
reinforced nose bridge 128 includes a support structure having a
reinforcement portion 130 and nose pad supports 138 extending
therefrom that will be discussed in more detail in FIGS. 6 and
7.
As best shown in the exploded view of FIG. 5, lenses 132 (e.g.,
sunglass lenses or corrective lenses) are received by slots 140 of
the frame 124, and the lenses 132 may be secured to the frame 124
using fastening elements 147 inserted through holes 144 in the
frame 124 and corresponding holes 141 in each of the lenses 132 or
another suitable technique. For example, instead of using fastening
elements 147 to secure the lenses 132 to the frame 124, each of the
lenses 132 may be suitably configured with tabs that are received
by slots in the frame 122 to retain the lenses 132 on the frame
124. The eyeglasses 122 further include a pair of temples 136,
configured to fit around the sides of a wearer's head, that are
pivotally attached to the frame 124 at the attachment portions 134
in a conventional manner. However, other securing devices, such as
straps extending between the attachment portions 134 behind the
head of the wearer, may also be used. Nose pad supports 138
carrying nose pads 140 project downwardly from the reinforced nose
bridge 128 to comfortably support the eyeglasses 122 on the nose of
the wearer. The nose pad supports 138 are fabricated from a
material, such as a metallic wire, that may be easily bent or cut
into a desired length so that the manufacturer or wearer may alter
the length thereof.
The structure of the reinforced nose bridge 128 and its associated
support structure 146, which reinforces the reinforced nose bridge
128 and provides the nose pad supports 138, will be better
understood with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. A portion of the
support structure 146 is embedded within a body 129 formed of a
mass of cured polymeric material. The reinforcement portion 130 of
the support structure 146 extends generally along the length of the
reinforced nose bridge 128 to provide structural reinforcement
thereof. Accordingly, the reinforced nose bridge 128 may be formed
of less material and, thus, thinner and lighter than a conventional
nose bridge because the reinforcement portion 130 stiffens the
reinforced nose bridge 128. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the
reinforcement portion 130 is completely enclosed by the body 129.
However, in some alternative embodiments, the reinforcement portion
130 may be partially enclosed by the body 129. The nose pad
supports 138 are connected to the reinforcement portion 130 by
being integrally formed therewith, soldering, gluing, or another
suitable technique. The nose pad supports 138 project downwardly
through the body 129 that is formed around the reinforcement
portion 130. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a small portion of
each of the nose pad supports 138 is covered by the body 129, and
the nose pad supports 138 project through the body 129. The ends of
the nose pad supports 138 are curled to define openings suitably
configured to receive the nose pads 140. The nose pad supports 138
are fabricated from a material, such as a metallic wire, that may
be cut or curled to adjust the length thereof so that the
eyeglasses 122 may be adjusted to fit a variety of different nose
sizes.
With reference to FIG. 7, the support structure 146 has holes 145
at respective ends that extend through its thickness, and these
holes 145 are aligned with corresponding holes 144 of the frame 124
so that fastening elements 147 may be inserted through
corresponding holes 145 and a corresponding one of the holes 144 of
the frame 124 and the holes 141 of the lenses 132 to secure each of
the lenses 132 to the frame 124. However, a variety of other means
may be used to secure the lenses 132 to the frame 124, such as by
using a suitable adhesive, by thermal welding, or by other means.
Therefore, the holes 145 in the support structure 128 may not be
necessary in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the
frame 124 may include holes that extend through portions other than
the reinforced nose bridge 128 or holes that extend through the
reinforced nose bridge 128, but not through any part of the support
structure 146. Other configurations will also be apparent.
The frame 124 may be fabricated by insert molding or another
suitable fabrication technique. In one embodiment, during insert
molding, the holes 145 of the support structure 146 receive
alignment pins to hold and position the support structure 146 in
the mold in a desired position. A volume of polymeric material,
such as a nylon or a polycarbonate polymeric material, is injected
into the mold and cures around the reinforcement portion 130 and
portions of the nose pad supports 138 to form the body 129 having a
shape defined by the mold configuration. In an alternative
embodiment, the support structure 146 is held in a desired position
in the mold by an external fixture. For example, a fixture may hold
onto the support structure 146 at one or both of the nose pad
supports 138 to hold the support structure 146 in the desired
position in the mold. In this embodiment, the holes 145 may be
omitted from the reinforcement portion 130, if desired.
FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment for a rimless pair of
eyeglasses 148. The eyeglasses 148 have many of the same components
that are included in the eyeglasses 122 of FIG. 3. Therefore, in
the interest of brevity, the components of the eyeglasses 122, 148
that correspond to each other have been provided with the same
reference numerals, and an explanation of their structure and
function will not be repeated. The eyeglasses 148 are identical to
the eyeglasses 122 except that the lens backing portions 126 and
127 have been omitted and attachment portions 135 are separate
components that are attached to respective lenses 132 in a
conventional manner.
Accordingly, the reinforced nose bridge 128 may be formed into a
variety of nose bridge configurations that are thinner and, hence,
utilize less material than ordinarily would be used if the support
structure 146 is not present. Also, by attaching the nose pad
supports 138 to the reinforcement portion 130, which extends
continuously through the nose bridge 128 for a substantial
distance, the nose pad supports 138 are more securely attached to
the nose bridge 128. Additionally, the nose pad supports 138 of the
support structure 146 enable the reinforced nose bridge 128 to be
used on a variety of different nose sizes by bending or cutting the
nose pad supports 138 to adjust their respective lengths.
Although the invention has been described with reference to the
disclosed embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize
that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the reinforced
nose bridges with their associated adjustable nose pad supports may
be used on any type of eyewear that uses a nose bridge. Such
modifications are well within the skill of those ordinarily skilled
in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by
the appended claims.
* * * * *